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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 15, 2008
Contact:
Tom Murphy, Technology and Environmental Assessment Division Manager
805-961-8857, 805-403-1096 (cell)
Bobbie Bratz, Public Information Officer, 805-961-8890 or
805-455-6403 (cell)
Air Quality Warning in Effect through Weekend
Residents Cautioned about Cleanup of Asbestos-Containing Building
Materials
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The Santa Barbara County Air
Pollution Control District today reissued an Air Quality Warning for
all areas of the county to be in effect through the weekend, and
cautioned homeowners and contractors to be careful when cleaning up
burned building materials.
Air quality is poor in some areas due to smoke from the Tea Fire.
There is also the potential for smoke from fires burning in
Southern California to impact air quality. If you see or smell smoke in the air where you are, be cautious and
use common sense to protect your family’s health. Everyone,
especially people with heart or lung disease (including asthma),
older adults, and children, should limit time spent outdoors, and
avoid outdoor exercise when high concentrations of dust and
particles are in the air. If you have symptoms of lung or heart
disease that may be related to exposure to particles, including
repeated coughing, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing,
wheezing, chest tightness or pain, palpitations, nausea or unusual
fatigue or lightheadedness, contact your health care provider. When
air quality improves, air out your home. Be prepared to close
windows and doors again if air quality worsens.
When houses burn, asbestos fibers from building materials may
become airborne, creating a potentially hazardous situation. Cleanup
can make conditions worse if not done properly. Handling materials
that contain asbestos can be hazardous to your health.
It is also important when cleaning up ash particles to avoid
doing anything to stir particles into the air, and especially to
avoid using leaf blowers.
For more information, see
this page on this site, and for recorded advisory updates, call
805-961-8802.
An Air Quality Warning is issued when there is poor air
quality in some areas of the county.
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